Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has directed officials to distribute 30,000 rifles among 'patriotic people' and 'peace loving groups' to guard their villages and help the police tackle terrorism.Hoti's office said in a press statement that the move had been proposed by the police. Officials will consult local police station house officers and seek approval from the district coordination officers before handing out the arms and will take them back if they are not used against "terrorists and troublemakers", it said.
| "Promise?" "We promise!" |
It did not say when the weapons would be handed out, or if villagers would be armed in the Swat valley, where security forces and Taliban militants are observing a ceasefire while seeking a peace accord.
Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas told the Associated Press the army had not been consulted about arming village militias. Interior Ministry spokesman Shahidullah Baig was also unaware of the plan.
Such village militias, backed by the United States, have been credited with reducing violence in Iraq, and a similar initiative is underway in Afghanistan.
| But these aren't 'such' village militias ... |